This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Public hold key to sustainable future
13/01/2003
The public has a vital role to play in delivering a sustainable future for Scotland, the Scottish Sustainable Development Forum was told today.
Speaking at the Forum which brings together people from all walks of life across Scotland, Environment Minister Ross Finnie outlined various ways in which the public can help support sustainable development in Scotland.
These actions range from taking a variety of simple, everyday steps to helping shape Executive policy through involvement in the Forum.
The future role that the Forum will play was discussed at today's meeting. Options under consideration include the development of a national strategy for sustainable development in Scotland, and considering how outcomes from the World Summit on Sustainable Development can be achieved.
Mr Finnie said:
"It is essential that all Scots take ownership and responsibility for promoting sustainable development. Sustainable policies are about ensuring a good quality of life now, and for future generations.
"The drive towards improved resource use will not just involve big policies and big targets. It will be the sum of small, everyday actions, including simple steps such as walking rather than using the car for short journeys, and switching off lights in the home.
"These useful steps cannot and should not be the monopoly of government. They provide the opportunity for all Scots to play their part in delivering a sustainable future.
"The greatest challenge of sustainable development is to convince more people of its necessity, and involve them in providing the solutions. We are taking steps to engage with people from across Scotland to do this."
The second meeting of the Scottish Sustainable Development Forum takes place today (Monday 13 January) at the John MacIntyre Centre, 18 Holyrood Park Road, Edinburgh.
The first meeting of the forum took place on 24 July 2002 in Dundee.
The ' Do a Little, Change a Lot' campaign website gives details of simple, everyday steps which can be taken to help Scotland's environment.
The Executive recently published ' Building a Sustainable Scotland', which details, for the first time, the contribution its spending decisions make towards sustainable development.
The Executive published ' Meeting the Needs… Priorities, Actions and Targets for Sustainable Development in Scotland' in April 2002 which sets out its vision for sustainable development in Scotland.